The Copper Club named Stuart Thorn, president and CEO of NEMA member company Southwire, as the 2014 Copper Man of the Year. The Copper Club was formed in 1944 to convene all participants in the copper industry. It encompasses copper producers, fabricators, refiners, dealers, traders, and merchants.

First presented in 1962, the club’s highest honor recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the copper industry. “NEMA extends its heartiest congratulations to Stu for this honor. We know the value that our members bring to the electrical industry and are proud that a representative on our Board of Governors is receiving this prestigious award,” said NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis.

The Copper Club’s Chairman, Arthur Miele, said, “The Board of Directors selection of Stu Thorn to receive the 2014 Ankh Award for Copper Man of the Year recognizes the exceptional leadership that Stu has demonstrated not only at Southwire, but within the industry as a whole. Under Stu’s leadership and vision, Southwire has grown and diversified both organically and through acquisition, to become one of the largest producers of electrical cable in the world. Furthermore, Stu has been one of the most dynamic contributors to the future of our industry, serving in board and leadership positions at the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, The Electrical Manufactures Club, the Copper Development Association, and the International Cablemakers Federation, among others.”

The 2013 Copper Man of the Year was Jim Vann, chairman of Rea Magnet Wire, another NEMA member company.

​NEMA is the association of electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers, founded in 1926 and headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its 400-plus member companies manufacture a diverse set of products including power transmission and distribution equipment, lighting systems, factory automation and control systems, and medical diagnostic imaging systems. Total U.S. shipments for electroindustry products exceeds $100 billion annually.